Cathay Pacific Faces Further Delays in Boeing 777X Deliveries
Cathay Pacific has expressed disappointment over the latest delivery delays of Boeing’s 777X aircraft, as reported by Bloomberg this week. The airline had previously anticipated receiving its first of twenty-one 777-9s in 2025, but Boeing has now announced that no airlines will receive deliveries before 2026, marking another setback for the airline’s fleet expansion plans.
Alex McGowan, Cathay Pacific’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, voiced the airline’s frustration, stating, “We want all our aircraft, and we’d like them to be delivered at the time that they’re promised. When they’re not, that’s a disappointment to us.” The delays have pushed the delivery timeline for the 777X by approximately five years from the original schedule, significantly impacting Cathay’s operational strategies.
The complications surrounding the 777X deliveries began in August when Boeing grounded its 777-9 test fleet due to structural issues. This incident, combined with industrial action and various developmental challenges, has led Boeing to inform its customers that the anticipated deliveries of 777-9s will not occur until 2026, while deliveries of the 777-8F freighter variant are now pushed back until 2028.
McGowan made these remarks during a joint event with Airbus in Hong Kong, where Cathay Pacific announced significant investments in new aircraft. The airline plans to invest over HKD 100 billion (approximately USD 12.9 billion) over the next seven years, a substantial portion of which is earmarked for aircraft acquisitions to support its growth and modernization efforts.
In addition to the 777-9s, Cathay Pacific’s firm order book includes fifteen A321-200Ns, four A321-200NX, thirty A330-900N, and six A350 freighters. Furthermore, Cathay’s low-cost carrier subsidiary, HK Express has also placed substantial orders, with eight A320-200Ns, nine A321-200Ns, and eight A321-200NX on the books. The Cathay Pacific Group holds unexercised options for an additional 80 aircraft, which reflects the airline’s commitment to expanding its fleet and enhancing its service offerings.
The delivery delays of the Boeing 777X not only hinder Cathay Pacific’s growth strategy but also highlight the ongoing challenges facing Boeing in delivering its new aircraft models on schedule. As the airline industry continues to recover from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, timely access to new aircraft is crucial for airlines like Cathay Pacific to meet increasing passenger demand and improve operational efficiency.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com, Bloomberg.com